The Worst News Imaginable
Diagnosis: Anencephaly
By Tina
One day I got wonderful news, and then months later received news that was the worst I could imagine. I thought I would be having a baby in
April, but my world came crashing down on me when I was 14 weeks pregnant. I went for an ultrasound in my hometown and they said that something was
wrong and that they were sending me to a university perinatal clinic for further testing. I had to wait a week; that was the longest week ever, but
we made it there.
Upon arrival, I had an ultrasound and was sent to see a genetic counselor who was very nice. We sat down in her office and were faced with the
worst news one could get. My baby was diagnosed with anencephaly<, a neural tube defect that results in the absence of major portions of the brain,
skull and scalp. There was no chance for my baby to survive, so I was faced with a decision.
The counselor and the doctor were wonderful and answered all the questions that we had. I then was told about my options; there were only two at
this point, since nothing could be done to save the baby. I could either be induced and go through the labour, or terminate the pregnancy with
minor surgery. After serious consideration I decided to go ahead with the surgery. But in the meantime they did an amniocentesis where they insert
a needle into the amniotic sac and withdraw fluid for testing.
I think this was the best choice for the baby and us. Since I was only 14 weeks, it was a relatively simple procedure. I was also told that
there is a 95% chance that I will have normal pregnancies after this because this is a fluke that happened to us.
I believe that life isn't always fair, but you have to make the best of a terrible situation and keep your head high and always remember that
life goes on. There will be better days ahead. I know that he/she will go to heaven and that this was a heartbreaking choice but those are the
cards we were left holding. Time will heal our wounds. I will never forget.
